Stubblefield’s anti-drag bill sashays away

In his impassioned committee presentation of SB43, Gary Stubblefield waxed poetic with biblical hot takes, insisting drag queens have no redeeming qualities. Meanwhile, members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies spoke in committee, protested on the Capitol steps, and garnered support via social media. 

And now the anti-drag bill has been gutted substantially.

Did Gary have a change of heart? As of February 2, the bill has been amended to include no references to drag performances explicitly. Instead, it adds a definition of “adult-oriented performance” and effectively outlaws public stripteases (which is already the law).

We can only assume that some of the opposition’s activism swayed Gary’s position.

Perhaps it was the moving rendition of Seasons of Love at the protest outside the Capitol. Maybe it was the argument that Hooters is less family-friendly than many drag performances. Or did Gary finally listen when he was told one of his bills is unconstitutional? 

We may never know. One thing’s for sure—in this #arleg hellscape, a win is a win.